Latch assembly with remote release

ABSTRACT

A latch assembly connecting a leg of a table to a table top comprises a housing assembly comprising a housing and a cover, a pivot mounted on the housing and pivotable between an upright position and a pivoted position, wherein the pivot defines an upright slot and a pivoted position slot, a remote release mechanism located remote from the pivot outside the housing assembly and movable from a first position to a second position, and a slider connected to the remote release mechanism and movable in response to movement of the remote release mechanism. When the remote release mechanism is in the first position the pivot is locked with respect to the housing assembly in one of the upright position and the pivoted position, and when the remote release mechanism is moved to the second position the pivot is movable between the upright position and the pivoted position.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/833,251, filed on Apr. 27, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improvements in latch assemblies, and more particularly to improvements in latch assemblies used with tables flippable with respect to their legs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tables with table tops and legs are widely used in corporate and institutional settings. The table tops of such tables often are flippable between an upright position and a pivoted position, and are particularly suitable in places where the position of the table is frequently changed, such as hotels and conference center meeting rooms. Table tops in a pivoted position are often at right angles to the upright position and therefore take up less space, reducing the area needed for storage. A latch assembly can be provided which locks the table top in either the pivoted position or upright position. One problem that has been seen with flippable table tops is that the latch assembly is less rigid than desired. Such latch assemblies may be loose and subject to rattling and wobbling. Moreover, latch assemblies may not be rigidly secured at both the upright and pivoted positions. Further, access to the latch assembly allowing movement of the table top or legs between the upright and pivoted positions may be restricted or in a difficult to access position on the table top. It would be highly desirable to have a low cost latch assembly which is rigid, easy to access and which is lockable at both the upright position and the pivoted position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect, a latch assembly for a table comprises a housing assembly having a housing and a cover, a pivot mounted on the housing and pivotable between an upright position and a pivoted position, wherein the pivot defines an upright slot and a pivoted position slot, a remote release mechanism located remote from the pivot outside the housing assembly and movable from a first position to a second position, and a slider connected to the remote release mechanism and movable in response to movement of the remote release mechanism. When the remote release mechanism is in the first position the pivot is locked with respect to the housing assembly in one of the upright position and the pivoted position, and when the remote release mechanism is moved to the second position the pivot is movable between the upright position and the pivoted position.

From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology of latch assemblies. Particularly significant in this regard is the potential the invention affords for providing a high quality, low cost latch assembly. Additional features and advantages of various preferred embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table having a latch assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment with the table top shown in an upright position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the table of FIG. 1 shown with the table top shown in a pivoted position.

FIG. 3 is an isolated perspective view of the latch assembly shown from underneath the table top, with a housing shown in phantom.

FIG. 4 is an isolated perspective view of the side of the latch assembly of FIG. 1 which would abut the table top.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the latch assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side view looking up toward the side of the latch assembly which engages a leg.

FIG. 7 is a cross section view taken through line 7-7 in FIG. 6 when the table top is in the pivoted position.

FIG. 8 is a cross section view taken through line 8-8 in FIG. 6 when the table top is in the pivoted position.

FIG. 9 is a cross section view taken though line 9-9 in FIG. 6 when the table top is in the upright position.

FIG. 10 is an isolated perspective view of a remote release mechanism directed connected to a slider of the latch assembly.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the latch assembly as disclosed here, including, for example, the specific dimensions of the remote release mechanism, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to enhance visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity of illustration. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation illustrated in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the improved latch assembly disclosed here. The following detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred features and embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with reference to a latch assembly particularly suitable top for use with a table having a flippable table top mounted on a pair of legs. Other embodiments suitable top for other applications, such as a table top having folding legs, will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a table 14 having a table top 15 and a pair of legs 12. The table top is shown in an upright position (as shown in FIG. 1) and is movable to a flipped or pivoted position (as shown in FIG. 2). The table top may be pivotable (or flippable) with respect to the legs, as shown. Alternatively, the legs may be pivotable (foldable) with respect to the table top. A preferred embodiment of a latch assembly 10 is shown with each leg having a leg latch assembly which connects each leg 12 to the table top 14. In the preferred embodiments where it is used, a remote release mechanism 72 preferably has a slidable catch 73 connected to a latch assembly via a cable assembly 75. FIG. 3 shows a view of the underside of the latch assembly 10 which connects to a leg at pivot 18. The pivot 18 is shown in FIG. 3 in the upright position, generally corresponding to the upright position of the table top when attached. The pivot 18 is pivotably mounted on pins 26 on housing 17 (shown in phantom) and is pivotable between the upright position (FIG. 3) and the pivoted position. Preferably the pivot 18 is releasably lockable at the upright position and at the pivoted position. The housing 17 and a cover 16 cooperate to form a housing assembly (preferably injection molded) and the various components of the latch assembly 10 are positioned within the housing assembly, while the remote release mechanism 72 is located outside the housing assembly and connected to the latch assembly 10 via, for example, the cable assembly 75. The handle 20 is captured between the housing 17 and the cover 16, and in a normal first position is biased against the cover 16. As described in greater detail below, movement of the handle or the catch 73 on the remote release mechanism 72 can release the pivot 18, allowing the pivot to move between the pivoted and upright positions. Optionally the handle 20 extends past both sides of the housing, permitting easier access by a user. A slider 22 operatively connects the handle 20 to the pivot 18. The cable assembly 75 comprises a cable 76 operatively connected to the slider 22 at projection 31, and a sheath 79 to help protect the cable from wear. A spring, preferably a compression spring 24, is positioned between the housing 17 and a projection 31 on the slider, biasing the slider 22 away from the housing. Optionally, as shown in the drawings, a portion of the cover 16 may act as a support for the compression spring 24. Preferably the cable 74 is routed through the compression spring 24 to reach the slider.

FIG. 4 shows the top side of the latch assembly 10 with the cover 16 removed. The top side would normally abut and be fixed to a bottom of the table top 15 with fasteners 98 (as shown in FIG. 5) through openings 99. A screw 97 or other suitable top fastener may be provided where needed to serve as an anchor. When an operator unlocks the pivot 18, he can use the handle 20 to urge the handle from the first position to a second position.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the handle 20, slider 22, pivot 18, housing 17 and cover 16, as well as the other components of the latch assembly 10. The pivot 18 is pivotably mounted on pivot pins 26 on housing 17. The leg 12 would be attached to the top visible surface of pivot 18 seen in FIG. 5. Pivoted position slots 36 are provided which engage corresponding wing projections 37 of the slider 22, as discussed in greater detail below. The slider 22 is slidable between the cover and the housing, has a tapered end 32, wing projections 37, openings 30 which engage corresponding projections 38 on the handle 20, and a projection 31 generally centrally positioned which engages the compression spring 24 and serves as an anchor for one end of the cable 76. Cable 76 is preferably routed though spring 24.

FIG. 6 is a side view looking up at the latch assembly. The pivot 18 is readily attachable to the legs of the table top, and the handle 20, normally biased in the first position as shown, can be moved to the second position by moving either flange extending from either side of the housing assembly as seen in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a cross section view of FIG. 6 taken along line 6-6, showing the pivot 18 in the upright position. The pivoted position slot 36 in the pivot is clearly visible. FIG. 8 is a cross section view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6, showing the pivot 18 in the pivoted position, and FIG. 9 is another cross section view in the pivoted position, taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 6. These three cross section views help show the relative position of the various components of the latch assembly during operation.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the pivot 18 in the pivoted position. The compression spring 24 biases the projection 31 of slider 22, locking the pivot in the pivoted position. (FIG. 8). Optionally a rubber pad 28 may be provided near the pivot flange 40. The purpose of the rubber pad is to provide cushioning when table tops using such latch assemblies are stacked together. FIG. 8 shows the cable 76 routed through the spring 24 and anchored to the slider at flange 31 via a cable end ball 78 or other suitable top attachment mechanism.

Thus, operation of the handle 20 (or the remote release mechanism 72 discussed below) causes the handle projections 38 to urge the slider 22 to translate so that the tapered end 32 disengages the tapered slot 35 in the pivot flange 40. This frees the pivot 18 to pivot from the upright position to the pivoted position. Preferably the pivot 18 has a curved surface 77 which guides the wing projections 37 of the slider to enter the pivoted position slot 36 as the pivot moves to the pivoted position. Release of the handle from the second position urges the handle to return to the first position. However, the handle cannot do so until the slider is free to move again. This occurs once the slider projections 37 have entered the pivoted position slot 36. The projections 37 cooperate with the cover to hold the pivot in the pivoted position.

In FIG. 9, the pivot 18 is in the upright position and the handle 20 is in the first position. In accordance with a highly advantageous feature, the slider 22 extends past either side of the pivot axis and restricts movement of the pivot on both sides, locking the pivot in the upright position. An under pivot segment 46 (also shown in FIG. 3) prevents clockwise rotation of the pivot (with respect to the view in FIG. 9) and a tapered end 32 of the slider engages a tapered slot 35 in a pivot flange 40, restricting counterclockwise movement (with respect to the view in FIG. 9). Advantageously, the tapered end 32 allows for variation and tolerance differences of multiple components while still maintaining a rigid lock of the pivot in the upright position.

Sliding of the catch 73 from the first position to the second position overcomes the force of the spring 24 and, in a manner similar to movement of the handle, urges the slider 22 to translate so that the tapered end 32 disengages the tapered slot 35 in the pivot flange 40. See FIG. 10. This sliding movement frees the pivot 18 to pivot from the upright position to the pivoted position. Preferably the pivot has a curved surface 77 which guides the wing projections 37 of the slider to enter the pivoted position slot 36 as the pivot moves to the pivoted position. Release of the catch 73 from the second position allows the spring to bias the catch back to the first position. However, the catch cannot do so until the slider is free to move again. This occurs once the slider projections 37 have entered the pivoted position slot 36. The projections 37 cooperate with the cover to hold the pivot in the pivoted position. Both the handle 20 and the catch 73 of the remote release mechanism are movable together between first positions where the pivot 18 is locked with respect to the table top 14 and latch housing 17, and second positions where the pivot 18 is movable with respect to the table top and latch housing. Thus, advantageously, the latch can be disengaged and one of the table top and the leg flipped or folded either directly at the latch housing via the handle or remotely from the latch housing the catch on the remote release mechanism 72.

The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to use the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 

1. A latch assembly for a table comprising, in combination: a housing assembly comprising a housing and a cover; a pivot mounted on the housing and pivotable between an upright position and a pivoted position, wherein the pivot defines an upright slot and a pivoted position slot; a remote release mechanism located remote from the pivot outside the housing assembly and movable from a first position to a second position; and a slider operatively connected to the remote release mechanism and movable in response to movement of the remote release mechanism; wherein when the remote release mechanism is in the first position the pivot is locked with respect to the housing assembly in one of the upright position and the pivoted position, and when the remote release mechanism is moved to the second position the pivot is movable between the upright position and the pivoted position.
 2. The latch assembly of claim 1 further comprising a handle pivotable from a first position to a second position; wherein when the handle is in the first position the pivot is locked in one of the upright position and the pivoted position, and when the handle is moved to the second position the pivot is movable between the upright position and the pivoted position.
 3. The latch assembly of claim 1 further comprising a table top and a leg to support the table top in combination with the latch assembly.
 4. The latch assembly of claim 3 wherein the housing is mounted to a bottom of the table top and the cover is attached to the housing.
 5. The latch assembly of claim 1 wherein the slider has a tapered end and a wing projection; and when the remote release mechanism is in the first position the pivot is locked with respect to the housing in the upright position when the tapered end wedges against the pivot at the upright slot, and the pivot is in the pivoted position when the wing projection engages the pivot at the pivoted position slot, and when the remote release mechanism is moved to the second position the pivot is rotatable with respect to the housing between the upright position and the pivoted position.
 6. The latch assembly of claim 5 wherein the slider has an under pivot segment which cooperates with the end of the slider to hold the pivot in the upright position.
 7. The latch assembly of claim 1 wherein the pivot abuts against the cover at the pivoted position.
 8. The latch assembly of claim 1 wherein the handle has at least one projection engaging a corresponding opening in the slider so that rotation of the handle urges the slider to move.
 9. The latch assembly of claim 1 further comprising a compression spring biasing the slider into engagement with the pivot.
 10. The latch assembly of claim 1 further comprising a cable assembly operatively connecting the remote release mechanism to the slider.
 11. The latch assembly of claim 10 wherein the cable assembly comprises a cable attached to a catch and to the slider.
 12. The latch assembly of claim 11 wherein the catch is slidable between the first position and the second position.
 13. The latch assembly of claim 12 further comprising a table top and at least two legs to support the table top with each leg having a corresponding leg latch assembly, and the cable assembly comprises a pair of cables with each cable connected at one end to the catch. 